Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Color Menu

Color is a matter of personal taste. Identifying with certain colors and spurning others can be rooted in childhood ... the pleasant memory of grandma's yellow kitchen or the dark recollection of a brown room.

To be accepting of certain colors can often a matter of acquired taste ... I would never have felt that I would order a black dining room from the menu, but now I just might.

You also have to think about how color will affect the next room ... your home should have a color plan. Harmony of color, after all , is similar to creating a menu. Considering the ingredients , how they blend, and the results an be quite tasty ... Have you come up with a color menu for your castle ?

*** Good afternoon, dear Vicky! SELDOM do I see a blog where I LOVE EVERYTHING in "all" the pics, & this is ONE of those times!!! I could "associate", sooo much, w/ the DR & BR, & find the entry (or is it a back entry?) SOOOOO delightful!!! "Way to go, girlfriend!"~~~ Love it!!! XO, Linda

P.S. I remember, as a girl, my Mom just "DYING" to have "her" belovvvvved grasscloth, & when Daddy finally caved in (HE thought it was "boring"!)she was SUUUUCH a HAPPY CAMPER!!! ~~~ She, the "hostess with the mostest" even had a HUGE cocktail party to "show it off" (WITHOUT, of course,telling anyone that was WHY she had it!!!)... I still smile over that, & of course NOW KNOW how she felt!!! Been thinking about it for MONTHS ... am about ready to "just do it" (well, OK, HAVE it done!) any minute now!!! Love again, Linda

Hey Linda, I loved your story about your mom. I guess everyone noticed that I made a boo boo in the post... trying to hurry because my little dogs were wanting fed. Well, I did the post, went into the kitchen poured dog food in the dishwasher ! lol I also needed to run the dishwasher.. I should not ever get in a hurry!

I love that entry way, that apple green front door is so cute! However, I just could not paint my dining room black. My friend painted her son's room black and it was such a cave. Please don't tell me that the grasscloth is back - I ripped it out of my 1979 foyer just a few years ago and it was a stinker to remove! So everyone else can have it! Along with the chrome daisies on chocolate brown and the chrome palm leaves on wintergreen. Two wallpapers that were in the hall bath and the master bath. Now the headboard is another story.....Robyn

They're all such beautiful rooms... really love the black dining room too!! I'd say the color menu in my house would be whites, creams, grays, beiges... naturals that can serve as neutral bases where I can inject colors into seasonally or when it strikes my fancy...

wowsers, another lovely post of lovely rooms. I love green apple color with white. I wouldnt normally be brave to do a black dining room but i love the contrast of the white with the black. As far as my color palette, we are still living with the colors we chose when the house was built, not real bad colors, buttercream type color scheme. However, im ready for some changes, but im sure i will still stay soft and somewhat light, except the bedroom, i would like to do a warmer color in there.hugsjanet

Thanks for leaving a comment on Willow Decor and entering the Grain sack pillow giveaway! I am so glad you did because I was able to find your blog. I have been thru many of your posts and they are all beautiful! Great work!! I will be back!!xx-Gina

What a great post Vicky! Loved everything about it! My office is grasscloth and has been for about 23 yrs now. When everyone was ripping theirs down I stuck to my plan. I knew it would be back. I occasionally change the color of the ceiling just to give myself a fresher environment. Since most of my home is saturated with color, I need at least one room to cleanse my palate!!!! See, it is all about the menu!Carol

I love the first picture with the green door and stripped area rug. So cool. So fun. So lively. Love posts about color! do more!! I think these posts give people ideas on how to incorporate color into their lives. Even in small doses. thanks! -susan

In my opinion 'black' walls are daring! The closest I've ever come to it, is the use of a deep navy blue. (I love it, however it will be changed very soon.)

I think living in the climate I do (long cold, gray winters) I have a tendency to consider 'the psychological impact of color' above all else. Also the location (natural lighting) and use of each space plays a major role in the menu; thus striving for harmony of color throughout the home presents a big challenge for me.

Besides injecting seasonal accessories, do you have any tips for me Vicky? I realize that I am probably making it more difficult that it should be :) Open for suggestions....-Brenda-

Brenda, Kathy had almost the same problem...I have a designer in mind for both of you that I think you will enjoy his colors. I will try to get to that soon. My personal suggestion is to never fight the bones of your home...If your home tends to be dark, then use darker colors, you can not win when fighting a house. People will ask me what my style is when they meet me about a job. I always find that so crazy... each house will tell you what needs to be done and it is differant each time.

Ohhh my..I see that I'm a bit late in viewing some of your last posts...where have I been? So sorry, my friend!

Girl, I am sooooo confused! I really love the dark "moody" rooms and most of my home reflects this...yet...I really love the serene whites and neutral rooms! What's the matter with me...am I fickle? Hehe!!! I guess I just have to conclude that I love a pretty room and a great design plan...whether it be executed through color or neutrals!

I always enjoy the photos your post of different design styles and ideas...keep on with the inspiration, my friend!